Lead pencil



Oct. l, 1929. B. c. BECKER LEAD PENCIL File@ Jan. 5. :11922 INVENTOR Patented Oct. 1, 1929 i-rmTED STATES PATENT OFFICE BERNARD C. BECKER, OF YORK, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR T THE YODER PENCIL COMPANY, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO LEAD PENCIL Application mea January 5, 1922. serial Nn.'527,1s9.

`This invention relates to lead pencils vin which the feeding mechanism is adapted to operate through the action of writing.

The ,object of this, invention is to provide means whereby the lead will automatically feed forward at the rate at which it wears away.

I further provide a pencil in which leads having an exceptionally small diameter may be used with practically no danger of the point breaking off, and thereby exceptionally fine lines can be produced for neat writing.

In carrying out this invention, automa-tic feeding of the lead is produced by the action of writing. Means are also provided'whereby the automatic feeding mechanism can be released, or in other words made inoperative, under which condition new lead can be readily placed in the pencil. Y

A new article of manufacture is also produced as a result of this invention, the same being a replacement part which is subjected to a certain amount of wear, and consists of a tubular casing which surrounds thelead with means for setting up resistance to movement of the lead.

Other objects will he apparent from the followingr description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, forming a parthereof, and in which similar numerals refer to simiar parts throughout the several views.

Fig. 1, is a longitudinal sectional view of a pencil representing a practical embodiment of this invention.

Fig. 2, is an enlarged longitudmall sectional A view of the tubular casing which carries the lead.

1n the following description of this in.- vention, it should be understood that wherever any part is described as being ixed7 to another, the same is meant to be'soldered thereto unless otherwise stated.

Referring to the drawing, 5 is a tubular casing forming a'handle for the pencil. 6 is a threaded extension fixed in the end of the handle. A tubular point 7 is fixed to the threaded plug 8 which is adapted to screw' on the end of the threaded extension 6. Fitted free to slide lengthwise in the plug 8 and the tubular point 7 is a tubular casing 9, the same being adapted to carry theV lead 11. The bore in the end of tubular casing 9 is enlarged as shown at 12 and is filled with a soft yielding resilient material, like rubber, indicated at 14. The normal diameter of the hole in the rubber 14 is slightly less than the diameter of the hole in the tube 9; and the rubber should be soft and yielding to permit forcing the lead 11 through the same by slight pressure, thereby, producing a slight yielding resistance to lengthwise movement. The object of this is obvious, in that the lead will then not fall from the pencil.

It is preferable to construct the tube 9 with the smallest possible diameter consistent with durability and strength, and it there will be very little material in which to form the enlargedbore 12; the wall of rubber 14 will therefore be very thin and in some cases it will collapse when the lead 11 is inserted. To avoid this I embed in the'rubber a reenforcing filament 15, preferably in the form of a spiral spring made of wire; this spring in itself is yielding and resilient, and

does not affect this characteristic of the rubi mally holds the tube 18 forward, with the` stop collar 19 against the extension 6.

The tube 9 is provided with a head 1Q which fits into the threaded plug 8 and the threaded extension 6 as shown, and is adapted to make contactwith the end of the tube 18 as shown at 20. If pressure is yapplied at the end 21 of the tube 9, the same will move inward, carrying with it the tube 18 against the pressurehof the spring 17 the object of this will be described further on in these specifications.

Fixed to the end of the tube 18 is a clutch 22, adapted to grip the. rod 23 when it moves forward in the direction indicated by the arrow 24; when moved in the opposite direction the clutch 22 automatically releases its gripping action,thereby permitting the rod to move.

Fixed to the inside of the tubular casing.

5 is a clutch 25, adapted to gripA the rod 23 and lock it against movement in the direc tion indicated by the arrow 44; it is also automatically releasing in its action and permits movement of the rod in the direction indicated by the arrow 24.

The rod 23 is guided in its lengthwise movement by the tube 18 and the sleeve 26; it has a reduced diameter as shown at 27, and is thereby adapted to move lengthwise through the tube 9.

Consider this pencil with its mechanisms arranged as shown in Fig. 1, and that the point thereof is applied to paper in the manner as when writ-ing; then, as writing is carried on the end 28 of the lead will wear away and the end 21 of the tube 9 .will come in contact with the paper; now so long as the lead not move inward because it is locked againstv inward movementl by the clutch 25, through the enlarged end 23.

Now when the pencil point is raised from the paper between words or other characters which are being written, the spring 17 will force the tubes 9 and 18 forward to the normal position as shown; this forward movement of the tubes 9 and 18 will carry with it the lead 11 and the rod 27; this is accom-I plished through the clutch 22 which has a gripping action on the rod 23 when moved in the forward direction.

It is now apparent that during the action of writing the lead 11 cannot move inward, but the tube 9 can, and-willl moveinward at the same rate the lead wears away; and as soon as the pencil point is raised from the paper the tube 9 will move outward to its normal position carrying with it the lead 11; and the rod 27 will move forward, carried by the spring 17 through the tube 18, clutch 22, and enlarged end 23 of the rod; therefore the end 28 of the lead is always substantially iushwith the. end 21 of the tube 9; and the tube 9 is therefore always supporting the lead 11v at the very edge'where it is in contact with the aper, preventing the same from breaking oti The lead -11 and the rod 23-27 are prevented from moving forward by the resistance to movement setI upv by the yielding resilient packing material 14, which surrounds the lead as heretofore described.

As a means for making the clutches 22 and 25 inoperative, and for releasing all gripping action on the rod 23 I provide a. tubular casing 42, which is free to slide, and carries a head 30 and a projecting end 31; and furcome in contact with the ends 38 and 39 of the clutches 22 and 25 respectively; this action will.bend the clutches 22 and 25 down to a horizontal position and thereby release their gripping action on the rod 23. The rod 23-27 1s then free to move in either direc-v tion under which condition a new lead can be inserted directly in the end 21 of the tube 9, and moved inward until the end of the lead is flush with the end of the tube.

The sleeve 26 is formed with an enlarged.

end 34 through which it is fixed to the inside of the casing 42. Fixed to the inside of the tubular casing 5 is a spring abutment 35. The spring 36 normally holds the casing 42 against the in-turned end 37 of the casing 5, so that the projecting ends 31 and 33 do not interfere with the action of the clutches 22 and 25 during the action of writing.

' I have found that it is a difficult matter to construct a tubular casing of the form shown at 9 in Fig. 1, therefore from the manufacturing point of view it is preferable to build it up of sections like shown in Fig. 2, in which,

43 is an outer casing into which is fitted an inner tube 40; they-being adapted to provide space for the soft resilient packing 14 as shown. The inner edge of the outer casing is turned over as shown at41 to prevent the inner tube 4() from moving out.

Throughconstant use the end 21 of the tube 9 will wear away on account of it constantly sliding on the paper. This is especially true unless the same is made of very hard material, such as tempered steel; and after thisV tube wears to an extent whereby the enlarged bore 12 is exposed, it will be desirable to insert a new tube; this is accomplished by unscrewing the tubular point `7 from the threaded extension', after which the tube can be removed and a new one readily inserted. l

-Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is as follows 1.- `As a new article of manufacture, comprising a tube having the bore thereof en'- larged near its one end, said enlarged bore vbeing illed with a soft yielding and resilient material to an extent whereby the normal bore at this point is reduced, and reenforcing iilaments imbedded in said soft yielding and resilient material which impart stability to its shape.

2. A lead pencil having a bore in the end lthereof for carrying the lead, said bore being enlarged near the end of the pencil, said enlarged bore being filled with a soft yielding and resilient material to an extent whereby the normal bore at this point is reduced, and

reenforcing filaments imbedded in said soft yielding and resilient material which imparts vstability to its shape.

3. The combination with a pencil casing, of a slidable tube capable of carrying a lead, said tube being arranged to protrude from the writing end of said casing and recede relative to said lead when under the influence of normal writing pressure, resilient means, said resilient means being arranged to counteract inward movement of said tube relative to said casing, to yield to inward movement of said tube when under the influence ofnormal writing pressure, and to react with suiicient force to retrieve said tube when said pressure is removed, a one-way clutch carried with-lengthwise movement of said tube, and a one-way clutch fixed substantially stationary relative to said casine.

4. The combination with a pencil casing,

of a slidable tube capable of carrying a lead, said tube being arranged to protrude from the writing end of said casing and recede relative to said lead when under the influence of normal writing pressure, a one-way clutch carried with lengthwise movement of said tube, and a one-way clutch fixed substantially stationary relative to said casing.

5. The combination with a pencil casing,

of a one-way clutch, a tube capable of carryl ing a lead, said tube being arranged to protrude from the writing end of said casing and slide lengthwise therein, and resilient means, said resilient means being arranged to counteract inward movement of said tube, to yield to inward movement of said tube when under the influence of normal writing pressure, and

lto react with sufficient force to retrieve said tube Whensaid pressure is removed.

6. Ina lead pencil, the combination with a casing, of a one-way clutch arranged to propel the lead forward through lengthwise movement relativeto said casing, and resilient means, said `resilient means being arranged to counteract reverse movementl of said clutch, to yield to reverse movement of said clutch when under the influence of normal writing pressure, and to react with suiiicient force to retrieve said clutch'when said pressure is removed. l

7. In a lead pencil, the combination with a push rod, of a one-wa clutch arranged to propel said push ro forward. through lengthwise movement relativeA to said pencil, and resilient means, said resilient means being arranged to counteract reverse movement of said clutch, to yield to reverse movement of said clutch when under the iniuence of normal writing pressure, and to react with sufficient force to retrieve said clutch when i tive to said casing, means for arresting re.

verse movement of said lead, and resilient means, said resilient `means being arranged to counteract reverse movement of said clutch, to yield to reverse movement o f said clutch when under the influence-of normal writing pressure, and to react with sufficient force to retrieve said clutch when said pressure is removed.

9. The combination with a pencil casing, of a push rod, acne-way clutch arranged to propel said push rod forward through lengthwise movement relative to said casing, means for arresting reverse movement of said push rod, and resilient means, said resilient means being arranged to counteract'reverse movement of said clutch, to yield to reverse movement of said clutch when under the iniuence of normal writingpressure, an'dnto react with suicient forcel to retrieve,said clutch when said pressure is removed. -f

l0. The combination with a peneil casing, of a feeding device capable of propelling a lead, a tube capable of carrying said lead, said .tube being arranged to protrude from vthe writing end of said casi-ng and respond to efforts which tend to move it lengthwise, operating mechanism arranged to effect a propelling action to said feeding device through reciprocating movement ofsald tube, andresilient means, sald resilientmeans being arranged to counteract inward movement ofsaid tube relative to said casing, to yield to said inward movement when said tube is subjected to the influence of normal writing pressure, and to react, with sufficient force to retrieve said tube when said pressure is removed.

11. The combination with a pencil casing, of a tube capable of carrying a lead, said tube being arranged to protrude from the writing end of saidpencil casing and slide lengthwise therein, and 'resilient means, said resilient means being' arranged to counteract inward movement of said tube, to yield to inward movement of said tube when under the influence of normal writing pressure, andto react with sufcient force to retrieve said tube when sald pressure 1s removed.

7 12. The combination .with awpencil casing,

thewriting end of said casing and respond.

to influences .which ltend to move it relative to said casing, and resilient means, said resilient means being arranged to normally maintain sald mecha-msm 1n said responslve condition, to yield to .movement of said mechanism when under the influence of normal -writing pressure, and to react with suiicient force to rearrange said mechanism into said responsive condition when said pressure is removed.

13. The combination With a pencil casing, of a lead feeding device, mechanism for controlling the action of said feeding device, said mechanism being arranged to protrude from the Writing end of said casing andrespond to iniiuences which tend to move it relative to said casing, and resilient means, said resilient means being arranged to normally maintain said mechanism in said responsive condit-ion, to yield to movement of said mechanism when subjected to the influence of normal Writing pressure, and .to react with suiiicient force to rearrange said mechanism into said responsive condition when said pressure is removed.

14. The combination with a pencil casing, of a feeding device capable of propelling a lead, operating mechanism for said feeding device, said operatingl mechanism being arranged to induce said propelling action in said feeding device through movement thereof relative to said casing, means for retrieving said movement of said operating mechanism, and controlling means connected to said mechanism and exposed at the Writing end of said casing, said controlling -means being ar.- ranged to move relative to said casing when under the influence of normal Writing pressure and impart movement to said mechanism.

15. The combination With a pencil casing, of a feeding device capable of propelling a lead, operating mechanismI for said feeding device, said operating mechanism being arranged-to induce said propelling action in said feeding device through movement thereofrelative to said casing,'and controlling means connected to said mechanism and exposed at the writing end of said casing, said controlling means being arranged to move relative to said casing when under the influence of normal Writing pressure and impart y movement to-said mechanism;

' 16. The combination with a pencil casing, of a feedingdevice capable of propelling a lead, operating means for said feeding device, and controlling means which protrudes from i tl'e Writing end of said casing,.said controlling ans being arranged to recede relative to said ycasing when under the influence of nor-v mal writing pressure and effect a propelling action in said feeding device through said operating means.'

17 The rcombination'with a pencil vcasing capable of carr ing a lead,of a pushrod for device capable of propelling said push rod, operating means for said feeding device, and controlling means which protrudes from the Writing end of saidjcasing, said controlling means being arranged to recede relative to said casing when under the influence of normal Writing pressure and said lead, a feeding device capable of propelling said push rod, and controlling means which` protrudes from the writin g end of said casing, said controlling means being arranged to recede relative to said casing When under the influence of normal Writing pressure and effect a propelling action in said feeding device.

20. The combination with a pencil casing, of a feeding device capable of propelling a lead, operating means for said feeding device, and controlling means which protrudes from the Writing end of said casing, said controlling means being arranged to recede relative to'said lead when under the influence of normal Writing pressure and effect a propelling action in said feeding device through said operating means.

21. The combination with a pencil casing capable of carrying a lead, of a push rod for said lead, a feeding device capable of propelling said push rod, operating means for said feeding device, and controlling means which protrudes from the writing end of said casing, said controlling means being arranged to recede relative to said lead when under the influence of normal writing pressure and effect a propelling action in said feeding device through said operating means.

22. The combination with a pencil casing, of a feeding device capable of propelling a lead, and controlling means which protrudes from the Writing end of said casing, y said controlling'means being arranged to recede relative to said lead when under the influence of normal Writing pressure and effect a propelling action in said feeding device.

23. The combination With a pencil casing capable of carrying a lead, of a push rod for said lead, a feedingv device capable of pro-l pelling said push rod, and controlling means which protrudes from the Writing end of said casing, said controlling means being arranged influence of normal Writing pressure and effect a propelling action in said feeding device. v

' 24. The combination with a pencil casing, of a' feeding device capable of propelling a `to recede relative to said lead When under the j Cil the writing end of said casing, said controlling means being arranged to respond to normal writing pressure and effect a propelling action in said feeding device through said operating means.

25. The combination with a pencil casing capable of carrying a lead, of a push rod for said lead, a feeding device capable of propelling said push rod, operating means for said feeding device, and controlling means which protrudes from the writing end of said casing, said controlling means being arranged to respond to normal writing pressure and v effect a propelling action in said feeding device through said operating means.

26. The combination with a pencil casing, of a feeding device capable of propelling a lead, and controlling means which protrudes from the writing end of said casing, said controlling means being arranged to respond to normal writing pressure and effect a propelling action in said feeding device.

27. The combination with a pencil casing capable of carrying a lead, of a push rod for said lead, a feeding device capable of propelling said push rod, and controlling means which protrudes from the Writing end of saidcasing, said controlling means being arranged to respond to normal writing pressure and effect a propelling action in said feeding device.

28. In a lead pencil, the combination with a feeding device capable of propelling a lead, of operating means for said feeding device, and controlling means, said controlling means being arranged to respond to the customary action of writing and effect apropelling action in said feeding device through said 1 operating means.

29. In a lead pencil, the combination with a push rod for the lead, of a feeding device capable of propelling said push rod, operating means .for said feeding device, and controlling means, said controlling means being arranged to respond to the customary aetion of writing and effect a propelling action in said feeding device through said operating means.

30. In a lead pencil, the combination with a pencil casing capable of carrying a lead, of a ush rod for said lead, a feeding device capa le of propelling said pushlrod, and controlling means for said feeding device, said controlling means being arranged to respond to the customary action of writing and effect a propelling action in said feeding dev1ce.

31. In a lead pencil, the combination of a feeding device capable of propelling a lead, and controlling means for said feeding device, said controlling means being arranged to respond to the customary action of writing and effect a propelling action in said feeding device.

32. The combination with a pencil casing,

- ence of normal writing pressure, and a lead propelling device comprising a one-way clutch arranged to slide lengthwise in unison with lengthwise movement of said tube.

33. The combination with a pencil casing, of a slidable tube capable of carrying a lead, said tube being arranged to protrude from the writing end of said casing and recede relative to said lead when under the influence of normal writing pressure, a lead propelling device comprising a one-way clutch arranged to slide lengthwise in unison with lengthwise movement of said tube, and resilient means, said resilient means being arranged to counteract inward movement of said tube, to yield to inward movement of said tube when under the influence of normal writing pressure, and to react with sufficient force to retrieve said tube when said pressure is removed. i

34. The combination with a pencil casing, of a slidable tube capable of carrying a lead, said tube being arranged to protrude from the writing end of said casing and recede relative to said lead when under the influence of normal writing pressure, a push rod, and a propelling device for said push rod comrlsinfv a one-wa clutch arran ed to slidev lengthwise in unison vwith lengthwise movement of said tube.

35. The combination. with a pencil casing, of a slidable tube capable of carrying a lead, said tube being arranged to protrude from the writing end of said casing and recede relative to said lead when under the influence of normal writing pressure, a push rod, a propelling device for said vpush rod comprising a one-way clutch arranged to slide lengthwise in unison with lengthwise movement of said tube, and resilient means, said resilient means being arranged to counteract inward movement of said tube, to yield to inward movement of said tube when under the influence of normal writing pressure, and to react with suiiicient force to retrieve said tube when said pressure is removed.

36. The combination with a pencil casing, of a slidable tube capable of carrying a lead,

said tube being arranged to protrude from the rod while the projecting element contacts with said object. I

38. In a pencil, the combination of a body., a section of lead projecting from one end thereof, an element projecting from one end of the body and movably supported therein, a spring arranged to permit inward movement of said element relative to said lead, and means actuated by the inward movement of said element relative to said lead du'e to wearing of the latter aswriting progresses to feed the lead outwardly.

39. A pencil comprising a body having a lead projecting from one end thereof to permit writing, and means automatically operable as writing progresses for feeding said lead outwardl A 40. A pencil comprising a body having a lead arranged to be fed outwardly, a device projecting beyond said body and arranged to engage a writing surface simultaneously with said lead as writing progresses, means tending to move said device in one direction, and means permitting relative movement between said lead and device, whereby operation of the latter in one direction and then in the other direction will effect a feeding of said lead.

41. A pencil comprising a body having a lead arranged to be fed outwardly, a guide device for movably supporting said lead projecting beyond the body and arranged to engage the writing surface simultaneously with said lead as writing progresses, means tending to move said device in one direction, and means permitting relative movement between said lead and device, whereby operation of the latter in one direction and then in the pthr direction will effect a feeding of said 42. In a pencil, the combination of a body, a pair of elements movably supported in said body and projecting from one end thereof for substantially simultaneous engagement with a surface, one of said elements comprising a section of lead, and means operable by the relative movementl of said elements for feeding the lead outwardly.

43. In a pencil, the combination of a body, a pair of elements movably supported in said body and projecting from one end thereof for substantially simultaneous engagement with a surface, one ofsaid elements comprising a section of lead and the other element comprising a tube through which the lead extends, and means operable by the relative .movement of said elements for feeding the lead outwardly.

44. In mechanism of theiclass described, ,the combination with a casing, oftubular means slidably mounted in said casing and projecting beyond the writing end thereof for engagement with the writing surface and slidably supporting 'a lead and a rod engaging the lead at its rear end, a spring tending to move said tubular means outwardly and resisting lnward movement thereof under normal writmg pressure, means between 'said rod and tubular means serving as a connection therebetween to insure movement of said rod and feeding of the lead when said tubular means move outwardly under the iniuence of said spring, and means preventing inward movement of said rod when said tubular means move inwardly but permitting outward movement thereof.

. 45. In a mechanism of the class described, the combination with a casing, of tubular means slidably mounted in said casing and projecting beyond the writing end thereof for engagement with the writing surface and slidably supporting a lead and a rod engaging the lead at its read end, a spring tending to move said tubular means outwardly and resisting inward movement thereof under normal writing pressure, means between said rod and tubular means serving as a connection therebetween to insure movement of said rod and feeding of the lead when said tubular means move outwardly under the influence of said spring, and means preventing inward movement of said rod when said tubular means move inwardly but permitting outward movement thereof, and a stop to limit the outward movement of said tubular means.

46. In a mechanism of the class described, the combination with a casing, of tubular means slidably mounted in said casing and projecting beyondthe writing end thereof for engagement with the writing surface and slidably support-inge. lead and a rod engaging the lead at its rear end, a spring tending to move said tubular means outwardly and resisting inward movement thereof under normal writing pressure, means between said rod and tubular means serving as a connection therebetween to insure movement of said rod and feeding of the lead when said tubular means move outwardly under the influence of said spring, and a clutch preventing inward movement of said rod when said tubular means move inwardly but permitting outward movement thereof.

47. In a pencil, the combination of a body, a tubular member slidably mounted in and projecting from said body for engagement with a surface during writing, a section of lead movable endwise in said member and projecting therefrom for engagement with and writing upon the surface, a feed member engaging said lead at its rear end frictionally fitting the inner wall of said tubular member, means for locking said feed member against rearward movement, and a spring engaging said tubular member to normally maintaln it in-pro'ected position.

48. a tubular element, mounted to move in opposite directions in said body, a section of lead n a pencil, the combinationiof a body,

CTI

thereof, a

mounted in said body one fitting within and frietionally engaging the other element, a Section of lead slidably mounted in said outer element and engaged by said inner element, a clutch ring to prevent movementof said inner element rearwardly, a spring arranged to be put under tension when said outer element is moved inwardly and arranged to move said element outwardly when it is released.

50. In a lead pencil, the combination of a barrel, a lead carrying tube slidably mounted therein and projecting thereof, a lead mounted in said tube, a propelling device wit-hin and frictionally engaging the inner wall of said tube, so as to be moved outwardly, and engaging the lead to move it with the tube, and clutch means within the v at the writing end comprising as the least of its elements, a lead propelling element, andl a slidable tube, said elements being suitably arranged to frictionally engage each other to effect a united forward movement, said frictional means being sufficiently yielding to permit said tube to recede when under the influence of normal writing pressure.

In testimony thereof I affix my signature.

BERNARD C. BECKER.

barrel normally engaging the propelling def vice to prevent inward movement thereof and lead when the tube moves inwardly.

51. In a lead pencil, the combination of a barrel, a lead carrying tube slidably mounted therein and projecting at lead mounted in said tube, a propeiling device Within and frictionally engaging the inner wall of said tube, so as -to be moved outwardly, and engaging the lead to move it with the tube, and clutch means within the barrel normally engaging the propeling device to prevent inward movement thereof and-lead when the tube moves inwardly, and means tending to move the tube outwardly.

52. In a lead pencil, the combination of a barrel, a lead carrying tube slidably mounted therein and projecting lat the writing end i thereof, a lead mounted in said tube, a propelllng device within and frictionally engaging the inner wall of said tube, so as to be moved outwardly, and engaging the lead to move it with the tube, and clutch means within the barrel-normally engaging the propelling device to prevent inward movement thereof and lead when the tube moves inwardly, and

'means tending to move the tube outwardly,

and meansA for limiting the outward movement of said tube.

53. A lead ably arranged to carry a lead with the end thereof exposed tg permit writing, and means automatically operable as writing progresses for feeding said lead outwardly, said feeding means being automatic in that it becomes effective in propelling the lead when under the influence of customary writing action, and' the writing end pencil comprising a body suit- 

